EXPERT ADVICE

French pedicure

How to nail the French tip pedicure

By Katie Barnes | 20 April 2025

Katie Clark, award-winning nail tech & founder of Katie Barnes Tool Range & Education, answers questions about perfecting the French pedi… How big should the French tips be? A French tip should mimic the natural free edge of the nail. Estimate how long the client will wait between appointments, plus…

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Why it’s important to take care of feet & advice for pedicurists

By Rebecca Hitchon | 18 April 2025

The importance of footcare can be overlooked, particularly during colder weather when feet and toenails tend to be tucked into thick socks and closed-toe footwear. But footcare services are not just beneficial for pedicure season. Foot and toenail issues can arise at any time, and treating them early can prevent…

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Runner feet

9 common nail & skin problems for runners & how to treat

By Scratch Staff | 13 April 2025

Discover the common nail and skin woes of runners, and how to tackle them for the ultimate foot finish… “Runners can be prone to a lot of foot problems,” explains nail educator & brand adviser, Rachel Gribble. “Hard skin, ingrown toenails and bruised nails are some of the most prevalent.…

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Cuticle oil nails

Here’s why nails may look dull after applying cuticle oil

By Katie Barnes | 7 February 2023

You’ve created a beautiful set of nails; you apply cuticle oil then go to capture a photo and notice that the glossy sheen has suddenly gone dull. So, what causes this? Firstly, ensure that your gel polish is fully cured. If it has not completely cured, then the shine will…

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Mobile working

How to make the move to mobile nail work

By Guest Writer | 16 January 2023

Award-winning mobile nailist, Clare Woodcock of The Nail Club, shares practical pointers for starting nail work on a mobile basis… Do you want to make the move to working as a mobile nail pro, but you’re not sure how? As the Scratch Stars Mobile Nailist of the Year 2022, let me…

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nail tech at desk

Revealed: Key nail trends for 2023

By Chloe Randall | 6 January 2023

The nail industry is known to change and evolve all the time. However, particularly since the pandemic, trends and looks have changed as lockdowns meant people were left with little choice but to not have treatments while salons were shut and press-on nails were a must. As we head in…

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Bereavement

How to manage employee bereavement

By Guest Writer | 4 January 2023

How to manage employee bereavement Tina Chander, head of employment law at Midlands law firm, Wright Hassall, shares obligations and points to consider if an employee loses a loved one. As an employer, you may have to navigate a situation where a member of the team loses a loved one.…

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What self-employed nail & beauty pros need to know about preparing for tax returns

By Guest Writer | 2 January 2023

With the amount of self-employed nail & beauty pros increasing in the industry, the idea of submitting their first tax return could be daunting. HMRC shares how nail & beauty pros can prepare for their tax return and why now is the time to start thinking about it… Self Assessment…

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Katie barnes nail mediums

What is meant by a ‘medium’ in the nail industry?

By Katie Barnes | 5 December 2022

What is meant by a ‘medium’ in the nail industry? A ‘medium’ refers to the materials or decorative techniques used to create the nail service, such as liquid & powder acrylic, acrygel, gel, gel polish, nail polish or even nail art products that you are using, such as gel paint…

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